New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-03-06
THEY REFUSED TO ANSWER
OFFICIALS WHO NAY GET INTO TROUBLE.

HOLDERS OF PAT BROOKLYN OFFICES WILL NOT
TELL WHERE THEIR BIG RECEIPTS WENT.
Tho Assomblymen who endcavorlng to find out just
how bad the municipal affairs OF Brooklyn went at
their second days work yesterday with prompness ana
energy Before 10 every member OF the committee
its counsel and sergeantatArms Scott were In their
places and apparently for developments Develop
meuts there we're and though not OF remarkably
sensational character yet sufficient to convince an nd
fcrent observer that Brooklyn public officials are sadly in
need of overhauling such as tho committee, 1t Is
hoped will succeed in giving them.
The Common Council Chamber was filed with specta-
tors tie majority Of whom smallfry politicians and
"heclers" OF the ring few prominent citizens
dropped in. and towards noon solitary representative
OF the gener vcntured to look upon the proceedings
The witnesses summoned acted as though they had re-
hearsed their parts and been thoroughly primed AS
matter fact Register Murha Sheriff Farley and Under
Sheriff Mclaughlin who "a the "Boss's" nephew. held
long consultation in the Office OF Corporation Connse
jerks before the opening of the session.
Mr. Murtha who admitted on Friday that he made ut
least 600 Of his Office last year. was the first Wit
ness examined. In taking the stand he admitted that
even S37 600 less than he received An examination
OF his private papers Friday evening had convinced
him that his official income during 1856 would 20 some
thing over $4,000 Then Mr. Parsons asked the witness
what he had done with all this money. Tho Register de-
clncd 10 give any Information on this point said he:
unabero state nor can ascertain from any 9coSs 81
hc s"n Of ~ G55 received 5y me "a the Of my
bus ness as coal merchant. decline to produce private
cheek ON gIuund that IL has 40 relation to my con-
duct as public officer.
He parried the inquiries of the counsel with consider
able skin. contehdng whenever question was ral7c'
nent To- the nyestgatlon denied that he spent any
more money year for political purposes than he did
during previous years.
Q-wiy then are you unwilling to state what was the
amount Of such payment; m.ao by you "a loSV Dy
dont consider germane to the inyeatlsaion.
Mr. Parsons then remarked that with the permission q
the committee he wond suspend The coissaeIau.oh q
action should be taken Ia view OF MI Mutthas re
fusai 10 answer me questions put 10 nim no D"'
serving that until Later In NJ case ,t,,r @p
but the committee politely declined TO give him any Ia
nnnrV @rrk Rankin was also recalled lie took the
stand gathered himself up and let the committee ulchy
understand that II was going 20 get nothing our ol MIN III
he declined TO answer about dozen OF SIR Parsons qucs
tons lawyer turned 10 the committee ana said WIN
considerable emphasis:
understand by e laid down IN The conrts thai whom
wties dec limo to ans",ra @ics'In ,4 NV mo
committee the body which eg mako their report AM
T at he o9mmtteo Shan ak tho question OF the Wine
a e VI, @ S s Sa SS 81 PS m S WHY a Ia
the position OF refusing TO- answer the committee In o'sd
power the Legislature represented y s commiite II
called nran 10 ass the instruct tho to
that hi, shall be put upon the reeorL
Judge Greene aud Mr. Cutler, the Democratic mem
bers said THAI they ala not believe In ieatng pco
u
a different view MF hankih was hccniIiiEg put OH
record rs refusing 10 answer questions put to him
William Barre Deputy Register. displayed an equal
amount OF defiance ana arsed shotiucc III lle ','l'o
OF his testimony he sail That AZ least my per cent oI ne
searches made Ia the Office We're paid Tor cNtr1 The
price depended upon the character OF the work
He pr1c,sed D. know nothing oi any special aifanEc-
ards he said. who could tell about the receipts of tho
office IN the three months preceding l7sG sailed Tor
Tho oncarmcd veteran. Captain Doyle. Mr. Barrc's as
sistant WAS next sworn but nothing 81 import tnce was
eli. fe VI "a
County Clerks Office. The next witness. lie Is tau
thin man with large pcarshapcl nose, ironguy hair
and huge musiachc. lie said that he had been con-
nccted with the Office for twenty-five years continuously
HIS regular salary $50 week bat this was greatly
increased by private arrangements with outside persons
who wished 10 expedite matters. lie coni1 NOT "V
whether the extra fees derived by the Office IN th, way
amounted to $4,000 or $4,000 but he was sure Va"
not over the large sum.
Sheriff Farley seemed triGc embarrassed he took
the stand. aud his somewhat nervous" tmd mnnner con
tTastcd iorciby with the cool defiant way Va WHICH is
asked about the receipts OF hts Office Mr. Farley handed
Mr. Parsons paper showing what hal been taken In ana
paid out In ssh The paper had hcen prepared 10y Dep
uty Mclaughlin According 10 1t sG7Gi5 81 had been
received from al soarces ana fs5gi o. ainHrs,I
this balance 5000 paid by the city Tor transporting
a oniiie iees TeoeSsd by lis dspatcs Ali such mat
tiers we're left 10 Mr. MclAnghn ~ whom he Chains 10
that except MI Farley received dollar oil Ais
income
Q-Have you made subscriptions Tor party nurposo,l 4
90 ~ u9n ''nN y ~. Is 5s"r ,ra1gi,er
cclvcd In l-S6l
This Mr. Farley declined TO answer further than TO say
that had put II In the book II j. private matter.
added. and only pertains to myself II the other /
gentlemen objected don't see Why should answer aud
get Into any trouble" Laughter
Mr. Parsons informed him that he would take action In
regard 10 him similar 10 that which would bc taken IN tie
cases OF the Others.
Then Under sheriff Mclaughlin went tho stand and
the committee great amount ~ Information which
they did and precious little which they sought
The exciting scene occurred shortly before ]
adjournment. Sheriff Farley had been recalled and |
asked about the disposal Of $1,000 which he had drawn
the Brooklyn Trust Company. He did not answer
immrdi lately, aud Mclaughlin. who had Just left the /
stand tried - attract his attention by shaking his head
Mr. Farley however. kept his eyes Mr Parsons. He
wa. about To answer. when Mclaughlin rose walked |
toward HIM and began 10 whisper loud enough FOR
some of the committee ~ hear Colonel Bacon sprang
his feet In AN instant and In excited tone shouted
stop thatl Mr.. Mclaughlin IA tlmperiug with tho .
witness Mr. Parsons. have the man removed 1" /
MI Parsons remained perfectly cool. but the witness
trcnhcd vi,by He aftcrward declared that hal not
heard what Mclaughlin said Mclaughlin. being re-
called refused say what he whispered the
Sheriff but finally confessed that lac only told him say
nothing about his private affairs.
During Sheriff Far.ey's examination Colonel Bacon /
asked him II he could read and write. Farley said that
he could.
The next session will be given at 10 n III. tomorrow
Some Of the counsel declared aftcrward { at Me |
Iaughiin had been guilty Of contempt and would |
doubleday be punished